A’s Bruce Maxwell pleads not guilty to assault charges

Updated 8:19 pm, Tuesday, November 14, 2017

A’s catcher Bruce Maxwell, charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct after allegedly waving a gun at a food-delivery person last month, entered a plea of not guilty Tuesday in Phoenix.

Maxwell’s trial will not be until next year, according to the Maricopa County court calendar, which lists pre-trial conferences for Maxwell on Dec. 28 and Jan. 29. A trial date has not been set, and there is a possibility of a plea-deal agreement.

Maxwell, 26, was indicted by a grand jury Nov. 7 following his Oct. 28 arrest in Scottsdale, Ariz. Maxwell, who according to police reports appeared to be intoxicated, allegedly pointed a gun at a Postmates worker who made a delivery to his address.

Maxwell posted a $10,000 bond Tuesday and was granted the ability to travel to Texas for the holidays this month and next.

This Oct. 28, 2017 photo provided by the Maricopa County Sheriff's office shows Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell after his arrest on suspicion of aggravated assault and disorderly conduct. Scottsdale, Ariz., police say Maxwell pointed a handgun at the head of a woman in Scottsdale who had delivered food to his home on Saturday evening. (Maricopa County Sheriff's Office via AP) less

This Oct. 28, 2017 photo provided by the Maricopa County Sheriff's office shows Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell after his arrest on suspicion of aggravated assault and disorderly conduct. Scottsdale, ... more

From right: Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell (13) takes a knee as Oakland Athletics left fielder Mark Canha (20) puts his hand on his shoulder during the playing of the national anthem before an MLB baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers at the Oakland Coliseum on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. less

From right: Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell (13) takes a knee as Oakland Athletics left fielder Mark Canha (20) puts his hand on his shoulder during the playing of the national anthem before an MLB ... more

Major League Baseball will investigate the incident but will not present findings until after the court case is concluded. Either MLB or the A’s, but not both as per the CBA, will impose whatever discipline is deemed appropriate after the findings are released.

In September, Maxwell, who is from a military family, became the first and, to this point, only, major-leaguer to kneel during the national anthem, saying he wanted to protest racial injustice in the country.

Last month, he told the Athletic and TMZ that he was denied service at a restaurant in Alabama because of the reaction to him kneeling for the anthem; the restaurant manager denied that had happened but a Huntsville city councilperson, Devyn Keith, who was having lunch with Maxwell, backed Maxwell’s version of events.

Pitchers and catchers are expected to report to the A’s spring training camp in Mesa on Feb. 14.